2024-25 National Cohort: Creative West

Rio Alberto | Anchorage, Alaska

National New Play Network Producer-in-Residence, Perseverance Theatre

Rio Alberto (he/they) is a Chicano artist and educator based in Dena’ina Ełnena. They currently serve as the National New Play Network producer-in-residence with Perseverance Theatre. Raised in Eastern Washington, Alberto studied and performed in New England, the Midwest, and across Washington state before settling in Alaska and joining Perseverance Theatre.

A member of the 2022 Theatre Communications Group Inheritors’ cohort, Alberto presented at the Theatre Communications Group national convening in 2021 and 2022 and attended the Any Given Child Initiative Conference in 2023, hosted by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Heidi Brandow | Santa Fe, New Mexico

Master Artist Mentor, Institute of American Indian Arts’ Master of Fine Arts – Studio Arts program.

Heidi K. Brandow (Diné and Kānaka Maoli) is a versatile artist whose work emphasizes including Indigenous people and perspectives to create ethical and sustainable forms of creative engagement and artistic expression.

Brandow co-founded the Harvard Indigenous Design Collective, which advocates for design by and for Indigenous communities as a vital part of the history, theory, and practice in design fields. She currently serves as a master artist mentor in the Institute of American Indian Arts’ Master of Fine Arts – Studio Arts program. She has also contributed as an artist liaison at the Coe Center for Art and as a former tribal liaison with Local Contexts, helping Indigenous communities reclaim authority over their material culture and archives. Currently, Brandow is the associate director of communications at First Peoples Fund, where she continues to elevate and share the work and stories of Indigenous artists and culture bearers with a national audience.

Her educational background includes studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Istanbul Technical University’s industrial design program, and a Master of Design Studies from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Brandow’s artistic vision and expertise span multiple disciplines and mediums.

Jill Busby | Olympia, Washington

Artistic Director, Northwest Film Forum

Jill Louise Busby is a Black, queer writer, filmmaker, and artistic director at Northwest Film Forum. Known for her sharp wit and unapologetic honesty, she examines the messy realities of identity, family, power, and belonging. Busby dissects hierarchies, contradictions, and societal expectations around race, sexuality, and public persona, challenging audiences to move beyond curated ideals to embrace more complex and uncomfortable truths.

After nearly a decade in diversity and inclusion roles in the nonprofit sector, Busby gained broader recognition in 2016 when her viral video critiquing liberal gradualism and performative progress earned her a substantial following. She became a sought-after speaker on race, media, and self-ownership, using her platform to explore the intricacies of identifying as a Black, queer woman in a society that often demands simplicity.

Busby is the author of Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity, where she explores the contradictions of social progress, identity, and the performative aspects of modern activism. She earned an undergraduate degree in environment and culture from Oregon State University and now uses her work to challenge expectations and amplify the complexities of belonging, love, and self-definition in spaces that favor conformity.

Daniel Hidalgo | St. Anthony, Idaho

Co-Founder and Director of Education, Idaho Art Lab

Daniel Hidalgo has been a lifelong resident of Idaho and believes that giving back to the community is the best way to use his artistic skills. He is the co-founder and director of education at the Idaho Art Lab. Hidalgo works in various mediums but prefers sculpture, specializing in art metals, clay, and mixed media.

Hidalgo also collaborates with the Yellowstone Forever Institute as an instructor for plein air painting. Additionally, he serves as a guest artist with the hospitality companies that support Yellowstone National Park.

Shannon Jones | Claremont, California

Arts Associate, City of Claremont

Shannon Jones is a dedicated arts and cultural practitioner. Currently serving as an arts associate for the city of Claremont, California, Jones has held various roles in public arts, youth engagement, and cultural policy. She has managed diverse arts initiatives, public art installations, and developed inclusive and restorative arts programs.

Jones takes a transdisciplinary approach to their work, integrating trauma-informed care, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as other psychosocial and therapeutic modalities. She believes that human truth is revealed through arts and cultural practices and strives to inspire change and serve as a guiding light to others.

Ibrahim Khazzaka | Tucson, Arizona

Artist-in-Residence, Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and Teacher, Pima Community College

Ibrahim is a Lebanese transnational artist who creates sculptures and installations using vivid colors to encourage reflection on affection, sensuality, and belonging. After a career in psychology and education in Lebanon, Dubai, and Los Angeles, he moved to New York City in 2018 to focus on his studio practice. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from SUNY New Paltz in 2023.

Ibrahim is currently an artist in residence at the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and teaches art and design at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona.

George Tsz-Kwan Lam | Reno, Nevada

Assistant Director, Nevada Humanities

George Tsz-Kwan Lam, a Hong Kong-born composer, grew up in Hong Kong and Massachusetts. Lam is the assistant director of Nevada Humanities, Nevada’s state affiliate to the National Endowment for the Humanities. Recent works include Family Association (2022), co-commissioned by University Settlement and Music at the Anthology; Kiyoshi Kuromiya: Critical Path (2024); and The Emigrants (2018).

Lam is currently working on a two-year oral history and music project focusing on Hong Kong’s minoritized communities, supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. His music has been featured at the 2019 Re:Sound Festival in Cleveland, the 2020 New Music Gathering, the 2021 Hot Air Music Festival, and the 2021–22 MATA Presents season.

Lam has served as composer-in-residence at the Chautauqua Opera Company and artist-in-residence at University Settlement. He is a founding member of the new opera ensemble Rhymes With Opera and has held academic positions as an associate professor of music at Hong Kong Baptist University and an assistant professor of music at York College, City University of New York. For more information, visit www.gtlam.com.

Becky Lind | Makawao, Hawaiʻi

Executive Director, Hāna Arts

Becky Elizabeth Lind is an arts leader and advocate for Native Hawaiian culture. A first-generation American, her family’s history — as her mother was a refugee from Vietnam and her grandparents from China — shapes her dedication to cultural preservation and community work in East Maui.

As executive director of Hāna Arts for over a decade, Lind has turned the organization into a hub for cultural expression and arts education, empowering local artists and fostering ʻohana connections while preserving Hawaiian traditions.

Beyond Hāna Arts, Lind consults with organizations like the Pacific Birth Collective and serves as event chair for the Festivals of Aloha in Hāna, celebrating Native Hawaiian heritage through mele (music), hula, and more. She also serves on community boards, advocating for policies that support arts and culture.

Lind balances her professional commitments with motherhood, cherishing her role as a mother of two and her deep love for her ʻohana and community.

Gerald Lovato | Laramie, Wyoming

Curatorial Assistant, University of Wyoming Art Museum

Gerald Lovato is an interdisciplinary artist, scholar, and advocate. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting, with a minor in arts business and leadership, from the University of New Mexico, where he received the Raza Excellence Award. Lovato also studied painting with Andrea Rushing at the San Diego Art Academy, deepening his commitment to art as a tool for expression and activism.

Now pursuing a Master of Arts in American Studies at the University of Wyoming, Lovato researches mental health, suicide prevention, and critical carceral studies, focusing on art’s role in addressing social issues. He was awarded the 2024 Arts and Sciences Dean’s Graduate Scholar Award.

Lovato works as a curatorial assistant at the University of Wyoming Art Museum, contributing to exhibitions and community programs. A first-generation college graduate, his practice spans painting, curation, and social art, with exhibitions across the Southwest. He merges life experience and scholarship to inspire change through art.

Christelyn (CJ) Ochoco | Barrigada, Guam

President and Producer, Breaking Wave Theatre Company

CJ Ochoco (she/her) is a Guåhan-raised theater creative passionate about storytelling and community engagement. She divides her time between Guåhan, Nashville, and other places in between. Ochoco earned a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts with a concentration in theater from the University of Guam in 2016, a Master of Arts in arts leadership and cultural management from Colorado State University in 2019, and a Master of Arts in strategic communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2023.

Ochoco co-founded Breaking Wave Theatre Company in 2018, where she serves as president and producer, using the arts to inspire connection and social change. Since April 2024, she has served as executive director of Humanities Guåhan, championing the humanities and uplifting Guåhan’s diverse voices and Chamoru culture.

Dedicated to building community, Ochoco believes the arts can foster healing by providing people the space to share their stories. Through her work, she aims to bridge cultures, cultivate empathy, and amplify diverse voices. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and playing bass.

Miriam Padilla | Draper, Utah

Executive Director and Co-Founder, Bomba Marilé

Dr. Miriam Padilla Vargas, executive director and co-founder of Bomba Marilé, was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Her parents, Dr. Hernan Padilla Ramirez, a former mayor of San Juan, and Dr. Miriam Vargas Fournier, instilled in her the importance of hard work and community involvement. Dr. Padilla moved to Maryland at age 7 and earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California. She relocated to Utah in 2017 to work as an endocrinologist.

Dr. Padilla co-founded Bomba Marilé in 2017 to celebrate her Puerto Rican heritage and share bomba, an Afro-Puerto Rican music tradition, with the Utah community. Under her guidance, the group has hosted cultural events, supported local Puerto Rican businesses, and performed at festivals such as the Living Traditions Festival and the Salt Lake City Hispanic Heritage Festival. Bomba Marilé has also received grants to bring bomba instructors from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Padilla has organized lectures on Puerto Rican history and collaborated with local schools and programs to engage youth in bomba. Through her efforts, she has fostered pride in Puerto Rican identity and built connections through the unifying rhythms of percussion and dance.

April Lynn Repeki | Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Dancer

April Repeki was introduced to Chamorro, Spanish, and Polynesian culture and dance at age 6. Her first teacher, Frances M. Sablan, taught her about the Spanish era and its influence on the Chamorros. In sixth grade, she began learning from Jonas Barcinas, a first-generation dancer in the Taotao Tano dance group, who trained under Frank Rabon, the founder of Guam’s first Chamorro cultural dance group. Barcinas introduced her to Polynesian dance, where she recognized the similarities across Pacific cultures. Both teachers inspired her with the art of telling ancestral stories through dance, sparking her curiosity to explore the cultural practices shaping today’s traditions.

Repeki has since taught more than 300 students, many of whom have performed on Saipan and internationally. She joined her students in performances at the 2024 FestPAC in Hawaiʻi and the 2016 FestPAC in Guam, where she witnessed them gain new pride and understanding of their heritage. Repeki remains committed to preserving the stories of her ancestors through dance, sharing her knowledge with future generations.

Karlinna Sanchez | Pago Pago, American Samoa

Program Manager, Agency for Better Living Endeavors (ABLE), Inc.

Karlinna “K” Sanchez (they/them) was born and raised in Utulei, American Samoa. A queer, trans Samoan, K is deeply passionate about community engagement and the intersection of art, activism, cultural preservation, and community building. They earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from the University of California, Los Angeles, where they also worked at the Global Lab for Research in Action. During their time as a student, K participated in fellowships focused on Pacific Islander communities, particularly queer Pacific Islander identities and collectives.

An artist at heart, K identifies primarily as a poet, writer, and filmmaker but enjoys experimenting with other mediums. Their creative work is inspired by Samoan culture, queer culture, animation, and a love of books.

K currently serves as Program Manager for the Agency for Better Living Endeavors (ABLE), Inc. in American Samoa. Their role includes grant writing, developing toolkits and campaigns, and managing projects. K also collaborates with local artists to host the annual Mosooi Festival of Arts and Humanities, an event that celebrates local art, fosters cultural preservation, and promotes community engagement.

Bala Thiagarajan | Arvada, Colorado

Indian Painter and Ceramic Artist

Bala Thiagarajan, born in 1978 in Chennai, India, is an Indian painter and ceramic artist based in Arvada, Colorado. An immigrant with a Ph.D. in biology, she blends science and art by combining traditional Indian motifs with contemporary techniques. Her vibrant works feature textures and patterns inspired by freehand henna designs, kolam, rangoli, and mandalas, reflecting both her cultural heritage and innovative vision.

Despite the challenges of visual impairment, Thiagarajan creates art that engages both visual and tactile senses, offering multidimensional experiences. Her textured paintings and ceramics resonate with diverse audiences, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

With more than 900 original artworks in global collections, Thiagarajan has received numerous honors, including the ACI Career Advancement Grant and Best in Show at Artsweek Golden and the Utah Arts Festival. Her work has been featured at major juried fairs such as the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival and the Saint Louis Art Fair. Notable exhibitions include Shakti: The Source of Strength at The Polly Addison Gallery at Dairy Arts Center and Contemplative Circles at The Bus Stop Gallery.

Outside her studio, Thiagarajan mentors BIPOC artists, leads workshops, and advocates for diversity in the arts. Her work bridges tradition and innovation, inspiring audiences to reflect on identity, culture, and creativity.

Isabel Thompson | Portland, Oregon

Programs Manager, Arts for Learning Northwest

Isabel Thompson moved to the United States from Costa Rica in 2003 on a music scholarship. Since then, she has lived in Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, and Oregon. With a background in classical music, she worked as a freelance clarinetist for more than 10 years in Florida, where she also earned her graduate degree through a teaching assistantship.

Thompson’s passion for arts education began at the Costa Rican National Institute of Music, where she received free access to music lessons and ensemble practice through scholarships and grants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she began making jewelry as a hobby. She now takes metalsmithing classes to refine her skills as owner of her handmade jewelry business, Bel Charms Artisan.

Thompson believes arts education is vital for human learning, as well as personal and community development. She is the proud mother of a young pianist and the wife of an oboe specialist. Since 2022, her family has lived in Portland, Oregon, where she works as the school programs manager for Arts for Learning Northwest, a nonprofit that brings art experiences to schools and communities.

Emily Wolfram | Great Falls, Montana

Executive Director, Montana Performing Arts Consortium

Emily Wolfram earned a Bachelor of Music in music management and cello performance from California State University, Sacramento. In 2010, she joined the staff of The Hartt School Community Division at the University of Hartford, where she worked as the marketing and communications administrator for a community music and dance school serving more than 2,000 students.

In 2014, Wolfram moved to Chicago, where she served as the director of admissions and finance at the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School. She relocated to Great Falls, Montana, in 2016 to manage the core ensembles of the Great Falls Symphony, a position she held until 2019.

Wolfram returned to arts administration and advocacy in 2022 as executive director of the Montana Performing Arts Consortium. She enjoys connecting with artists from around the world and serving audiences across Montana. Her work with the consortium is driven by her belief that all Montanans deserve access to exceptional arts experiences.

Alongside her nonprofit administration and marketing roles, Wolfram freelances as a website designer and marketing consultant. She also maintains a private teaching studio and performs as a section cellist with various Montana orchestras.